Buying a Road Bike

My advice is to go to a bike shop, get measured and look at what you’d like on a bike. Then, if you don’t want to buy one there, go on Craigslist and find one there. At least then, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for. Take the bike back into the bike shop to be fitted before you purchase it on Craigslist. The seller should totally understand your reasoning for this.

I would recommend the following items as well:

a comfortable helmet

bike shoes (you’ll thank me for this later… but not at first.)

gloves

bike shorts

saddle bag (for your bike, to hold keys, etc.)

Bike shop employees are generally very laid back and extremely helpful.